Pedestrian killed on the I-5/57 carpool connector

ORANGE – A pedestrian died early Monday morning after being hit by a car on the northbound I-5 to northbound 57 carpool lane connector.

The man was in the middle of the dedicated carpool lane, said officer Armando Garcia of the California Highway Patrol. Since the lane is separated from the rest of the freeway by a concrete barrier, the driver of the car that hit him was unable to swerve to avoid him, Garcia said.

There were no other vehicles parked in the area, and it's unclear why the man was on the freeway, he added.

After the collision at around 4:30 a.m., the driver stayed at the scene and called 911.

The carpool lane on the I-5 was closed from 17th Street in Santa Ana to the connector as officials investigated. Lanes reopened at 7 a.m.

Investigators are still working on identifying the man, according to the Orange County coroner's office.